Means for utilizing the power of the currents in rivers



Jan. 8, 1935. HQKARL 1,987,065 MEANS FOR UTILIZING THE POWER onma cUR E NTs IN. RIVERS File d Feb. 16, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jig-1 INVENTOR Jan. 8, 1935. H. KARL 1,987,065

MEANS FOR UTILIZING THE POWER 'OF THE CURRENTS IN RIVERS Filed Feb 1a, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 8, 1935 y J i f ;MEAN S FOR UTILIZING THE POWER Y 'CURRENTS IN RIVERS H v Heinrich i'Karl; Jers eyoQit ,;N -1:J ApplicationFebruary 16, 1933,. Serial No. 57,002

' -'1 2"Claims. (CL-1.70.435

The improvements .of this :invention relate to .of-saidafloats isxalsoafloatingbuildingthat'houses I .devices for utilizing the currents in {rivers .and 'machineryordynamos, etc. consist partly of water propellers --or water atur- -Figurel2 isaltop viewof afloat with a'water .binesthat-are therefore speciallyconstructed for propeller (water wheel) tied to *the, shore :by. two

that purpose. Someoftheseimprovementsxzon- -wire ropes and-held awayfromthe shore'by two sist in-thesimple andrelatively inexpensive-mam beams; her of holdingsaidwater propellers or water tur- Figure 3 .-is ;.a sectional elevational iview of ":a binesin such positions in which they will be water turbine withassociatedparts fori'imparting driven directly by the Water of the-current wherethe propelling movement to power-requiring deby floats are used on which said water propellers 'vices'ormachinery on 'the shore-or in afioating =10 (water wheels) or water-turbines are mounted. building; I

- J The floats are so-held .(preferably:tied) that said "Figure 4 isan elevational view-;..of the simplest waterpropellers or-turbines are positionedin-the and very effectiveform of :afioating water :pro current of theriver. Usually. water wheels, mill peller (Water wheel) ,whereby :part of :the ifioat 1; wheels or the like have been mounted .onsuch and one of the-means fortyingit areleft away; l5 places close to the shorepf rivers-or brooks ete. it is a. slight modification of that shown in :Figthat havesufiicient fall of the water or they are we 2; r i directly driven 'by waterfalls orb-by :the rushing Figure '5 is a plan view of the'ifioat awithwater water of specially built channels. ,However, propeller to whichisadded n driving many cities or industrialestablishments which rod thata-isledto abu lding e eo ed 9 require power are not situated-in the proximity-of and shown also in plan 3 are such atransmission such rivers that-have waterfalls andrconsequenfly mechanisms-that serve for imparting with speed-'- such cities, etc. are-deprived of economically 010- increase the motion lot the water propeller tc "a tainable power. There are, however, -a .great dy V I number of cities andtownssituatedon-riarersz-and Figure 6 is also atop view of a z fioat'with' a 25 as rivers'have at least in midstream or nearmid- .water turbine which :isdirectly.connectedito that stream a current that sufilces for turning large end. of a. pier that reaches into the-riverwhereby water propellers or-turbinesthey Will-inturngive the float and water'turbine, however, can fall t power t p t again electric energy or or-rise'as the water in theriverfalls;orrises;

0. which can be utilized'direcflyior the operation-0f Figure 7 shows [in elevation the :devices' and. 0

all sorts ofmachinery. Another ofsaid-improvearrang m as theyl'are Shown p ments of the invention-consists of thez'creationof v-iewinFigu l r a floating establishment which houses said 'ma- 1 Fi r 8 how th pr f :J' in r ranschinery or other devices'and the dynamo or mission-devicethatservesfor transmitting m'ovedynamos that will be driven by said floating mentwfromthe shaft'thatis driven bythe water wateppropellers or water wheels or waterlturbines propelleror water turbine; "CO the shaft that is to and t establishment consequently-must beaddrive-machinery, etceinraibuildingthatis erected joining-to or it must be situated very near to 1 t Shore riverland I them. Still some .of :said improvements consist Figure!) showslthe h m s a Y of speciallyiconstructed' transmission-devices" for g g o v igiri iggli gagg ggise gggi 2: 5 51122; 40 imparting 'movementfrom the water propeller, I' i v etc. to devices on the shorewherebySD Cial-means :23; on e i level W also are em 10 ed on-account'of the rise and-the fall r a of the grater in the river. Examples are given :Tne'mostcommon waylqf denvmglpowerifrom however also for other connections. rivers orbrooksfthathavenot muchfall was to Th q d th i d 16. adam sothat the water .would'beaccumun 0 lmprwemen S 1 escrl e m lated in areservoir. :A channel wasma'de so that the now foilowing detalled description and the thewaterin the-reservoir had toi flow through it mveltles i m 111F119 attached m and since the water surface in'the. old river bed. In h w n 1n wh e of h pr rabl is then lower than thatin'the reservoir thewa'ter p fl 'fi given; i i flowing throughthe channel has su'flicient fall Figure 1 shows a plan view-ofpart of ariver and consequently velocity for driving axwater or brook andsome of the preferable methods of propeller or water turbine which inturn willioptying .the floats on which-are mounted the water crate machinery or otheradevices in'an adjoining propellers or turbines; in connec ion wi h ,1 6 building. H j

The creation'of such typical arrangementis in manyrespects costly and can not be made in navigable rivers.

The water 3 near the shore 2 not having enough fall is mostly not adapted for operating water propellers or water turbines'b'ut other floats '24 may be tied so that they have to stay on the water at such parts that are nearer tothe'fshoie. 2-yand these floats 24 may carrybuildings 25 that again house the machinery, etcfthat is" to be'operat'ed by the water propeller 27 or water turbine'28. .I' 5;

'Referring more particularly to the float 20, 20a,

Figure 4) the float itself canbe made of woo or of metal ashollow pontoons (Figure 3) "and can :be' constructed like araft-that has a large cutout part 29 in which the water propeller 27 is to be so placed that it can turn freely without coming into friction'with'partsof the float. The float itself-can the rectangular (20) square (20b), round (200) or oval (20(1) or of any suitable'shape and the bearings 30 (see Figures 2-and'4) for the shaft 31 of the water propeller 27 are mounted ;and; fastened to the respective parts of the float byvmean'sof screws 32 or similar fastening means. It will be noted that theshaft 31 is still above the water surface. on the part of the shaft 31 that is situated between the twobearings 30'is mounted the water propeller 27 proper. The preferable construction of the latterwhich resemblesa pad- IdleiWhGBllsbGSt shown in Figures 2 and-'4. "Two vdiscs 34 are'rigidly united withthe shaft 31 and on the discs '34- "are fastened again a number of paddle like plates 35 of wood or metal that are equallydistanced from each :other in the fashion of the spokes of a wheel and are so arranged that ithe surface of each of theparts '35 extends in the axialdirection between the'two'discs-34, The'corners of the outer edges of the plates 35 are fas tenedto ring shaped' stabilizing parts 36. These ring-shaped parts 36:may,' however, be arranged also differently, as; for instance; along the outer center line of the plates 35 or nearerto the discs 34. In any instance they should not be sofiv'oluminous asto prevent the water of the river from striking the plates 35 with its full impact The water propeller may be 'barrel-shaped (27b; Figure 1) tor it may be narroweron its circumferentialuline (2711).. From theforegoing'construction it is shown that the? water propeller 27 will be turned by the current of the river provided that the float 20 on which said water propeller is mounted will beheld fast by suitable means. The simplestiand most practicable means therefor are ropes (preferably wire ropes) of which oneis fastened at the one end'and the other at the other endof the float according to the direction of the flow'of the water of the river. The other endof that rope 21 that is fastened to the end of the float that bears the impact of the water may be fastened to any. means suitable for holding fast that serve for holding the float ofi the shore and right in the current of the river or brook. There may be more than one of these beams employed.

The diameter of the water propeller depends upon the depth of the river or brook and of the circumstance of being subject to periodical rise or fall of the water such as is due at the time of the ebb or flood or during drought periods or rainy periods; 'respectively.g1,'Suoh variations in the stand of the water surface will not influence the function of the water propeller because the float 20 will always rise orfall with 'thesurface of the,water..

The {shaft 31 my "be extended considerably in length and even smaller floats 45 (Figures 6,

'l, and 9) may be arranged for supporting that v shaft on stretchers that lead over the water.

If the building (25) that houses the machinery that isytoixbe driven by the shaft 31 is built also on a float 24) as indicated in Figure 1 it 'will not be necessa-ry that the shaft 31 operates a J'oint of special construction (a movement-impartingdevice asshownin Figures and described later) because the float of the" building will always be on thesame level as the Mat 20 of the" water propeller. The floats 2O and'24" may be united. It is, however, different when'the buildingis situated on the'shore and the movement of the" shaft 31' is to beimparted to machinery, etc." in said building andin this instance at least one of said specially constructed joints 46 (see Fi'gsifi, 7, and 8) must be employed on the stretch between float'20 and the building '47 on the shore because the shaft 31niust adjustitself by means of these specially constructed joints'to theiall or rise ofthe'float 20 and 'ofthe additional float or floats -45.;"A' typical arrangement is illustrated by-the Figures '7 and 8' in which is shown how the" shaft 31} or-3 1af can rise or fall according to the stand of the'water in the river a'nd despite this circumstance will impartrotary 'm'overnen't"to a shaft *(65) that is' -not to" rise or ran. Referring more particularly to the general arrangement 'a's'it is'shown in Figurest'; and l the shaft 31 receivesa support above the float 45 as also shown" in Figure 9;' If it sho'ul'd' benecessarythat' an additional shaft must-be arranged 'wheel turns the gear wheel 51 with-which'it is in mesh'and the latter 5 turns; again thel 'gear wheel 52 which turns 'thent theishaft 31a;

If the =shaft 31a is' to turn in the inverse direction then the gearwheel '51 must bleftaway so? that .athe gear wheels 50"and 52 will be in mesh There vmight be alreadya speed increase obtained with, the shaft 3111 if the diameterpof the gear wheel SOismade, larger than that of the gear wheels 51 and r52. Shaft31a may, have a support near its other end inform of a.,bearingv53-thatis mounted on the float 45a. To the rightrsidehend of shaft 3111 is secured the. gear wheel 54 ,(see Figure 8)}that forms part'of the specially constructed joint indicated by 46 111 Figures 5, 7"an'd"8'.' This specially constructed joint is rathera device for imparting mov'em'ent from a.shaftthat is subject-to rise and fall to a shaft that remainsalways on the same level. This-device that is best shown "in Figure 8 consists of the frame 55 that comprises a"central Leer-goes vertical part 55a that-has a vertical slot-56 'ofQa l'en'gth that permits' the up or downward movement of the 'shaft 31a as "wen as a Side 57' whi'ch'again is founded in the ground of the shore as best seen in Figure 7. United with *the'central part 55a are inclined guide parts 58, 58a that extendoutwardly and downwardly and which are provided with slots 60, 61 respectively. In slot 60 there is a cog Wheel 62 so mounted; that its shaft is allowed to slide in that slot-and being compelledby gravity will always rest in the lowermostend'of that slotif no means moves it to "a higher position. Similarly is-also mountedthe cog wheel 63 in the'slot 61 and 'this'wheel is also compelled to assume a position-inthe lowermost end of slot 61 if no othermeans lifts ittoa higher-position in slot 61. On the uppermost part of the frame 55, the-central part 55a, respectively, is the bearing for the shaft '65 which is the one that does not change its level. Mounted. and fastened on that shaft 65 is a cog wheel 66 which must be in radial alignment with the cog-wheels 54, 62 and '63 anda-chain 67 similar to those used for driving gearwheels is laid so aroundthese four cog wheels that each will be revolved in the same direction when the chain will be pulled. Inorder to-secure at least sufficient hold for the shafts-of the-cog wheels 62 and 63 a duplicate 'o'f'ithe extensions '58, 58a and ofthe slots 60 and filmust be added to the extensions 58,5811 and secured'thereto by means of screws 68, 69, T70 and '71. The-chain '67 which is endless has such an extension inylength-that it allows the shaft 31 or 3111 to move to the lowermost position in slot 56 that is caused by the normally lowest standyof the'waterin the river. And if the highest Water mark is reached by the water whereby the shaft 31 (or 31 a) will be at the upper end of the slot 56, the chain 67 will be slackened to'a great extent between cog wheel 54'and cog wheel 62. Assuming the chain 67 will be pulled by the cog wheel 54 inthe direction .of the arrow 70,.the cog wheel 63will'be pushed up to the uppermost end of theslot 61 and that part of the chainfthat leads v irom gear wheel 54 to the cog wheel 63 and to the cog wheel 66 will be strained and'the cog wheel 66 together with the shaft 65' will be revolved thereby in the same direction as cog "wheel 54 and cog wheel63. In this instance the partof the chain 67that leads from cog wheel 54 to the cog wheel 62is slackened while the part of the chain 67 that leads from the cog wheel" 62 to cog wheel '66 is not so much slacken'ed because the weight of the cog wheel 62 tog'ether with its shaft pulls somewhat that part of the chain 67. It is assumed that the aforesaid movement of the device of Figure '8 is caused by the normal fiowof the waterin theriver;

Should this device be employed in connection with a water propeller that is situated a river nearthe sea where the "flood causes a back'flow of the water .in the river the shaft 31 or'j31a would be revolved "in' the inverse directionand consequently the chain fi'lwouldthenbe strained on that side of'the "device on which it is normally slackened whereby the cog'wheel 62 would be'moved up to the upper end of the slot 68 andthecog wheel'63 would movedownward. The

- sldt'56is purposely made wider thanthediameter of; the shalt 31 (on-31a) so that meie 'may be enough "freedbincf movement not a only 1 in the vertical direction but also in the ho-rizohtal be cause'it must be assumed that the-'fibatS -EO; 20a

can'no't be held" completely rigid.

I 'R'eferring'now to the elements inthe building 47,'there"is first a flywheel '72-seen with large diameter and {is mounted in bearings 7241, 722:

and which isturned' by theshaft 65. Wheel '72 drives by means of an endless belt "'74 another wheel "73 of a' much smaller diameter. Wheelfiii is *again coupled with a wheel "75' of a much larger diameter and-this wheel 75 drives a dynamo --"i6 (see Figure 5) 'by means of the endless belt 'll. -It is herewith shown that the relativelyslow' turn ing movement of the water propeller-2'7 is step wise'incr'ease'oluntil such speed is obtained-'- that suits best for driving an -electric-generatoh 7 Having describedthe invention in-connection with the water-propeller it remains only the detailed' description of the water turbine proper because all those other elements described before with the exception of the water prop'eller'can be employed also in connection with the water turbine.

InzFigure 3 where a preferable embodimentof such water turbine is shown the essential parts are as follows: A shaft "78 is held in bearings 79a and 80a in a's'uspended position'by hangers 79 and '80, respectively. The" hangers are secured tothe float '20:; which maybe similar to the ficat ZO that carries the'water propeller "2'7 and there is also a cut-out?!) necessary therewith foriacilitatingthe inspection of the turbine or for making reom for the-latter. On, the shaft 78 are mounted or cast together with thejshaft a number of propeller-shaped blades 81 and alsoa number of such elements as indicated by 82 whichare so shaped astc fcrm'helices. Each one (if these-helices -is arranged separately, that is tosay that no continuous: spiraldsrcreated thereby-because it would not'so effectively "re spond tothe impact of the water and because a single spiral like wound blade offers too much surface on the opposite side i of the blade which results incounter pressurejby the water against that opposite side of the blade. It-is alfso ad vantageou's not to submerge the vvhole parrot the water turbine 28 proper for the reason to "re lieve back pressure, especially when the turbine i is very long. It isth'erefore adv'isableto couple several water turbines sideby'side-so that they may" drive thesameshaft B'lcthat has thesar'ne purpose as the shaft 31. Sincethe water turbine hasits shaft '78 in the same direction as the water flows there are such transmission mechanisms necessarywhi'ch will turn 'the shafttlc that is 7 arranged on-a'line that crosses that ofthe shaft '78. Firstthereis a gear wheel Mfrigidlyhnitd with the shaft -78 and this" gearwhefel meshes with a gear wheel 85 to whichfi's added a bevel gear 86- that meshes with another bevelgear 8'? that is "arranged on the shaft 310. l If several water-turbines are employedfordjrivin'g the single shaft 31c 'and 'consequentlyalso thedevicef4 6 and the generator or machinery in the building that is floating or built onthe sho'raeach water turbine must then have the gears (or at leastadequatejtransinission devices), as, for'instaiice, the geared wheels 84, 85 and the bevel gears "'86 and 87.

In Figure '6 it is shown thatthe fl oat 20a is directly connected to the end of a pier 90 that stretches far enough into the river where the water turbine would encounter sufflcierit impact of the water for its operation. In order to allow the float a to riseor fall in unison with the water level at least two vertical guide bars or piles.,91 92 should be provided at that end of the pier and the float 20a mustthen be provided with strong steel rings 93, 94 and the piles 91, 92 must then be inserted in; the rings 93, 94, respectively, or the rings must be put around the guides or piles 91, 92 and afterward afiixed to the float 20a. As shown there is also the device 46 employed and there may be machinery or a generator installed at that respective end of the pier 90. In order to show that the float 20a would not bev in the way of a. ship or lighter that has 'to dock at the pier 90, part ofsuch ship is shown indicated by 95. ,7 e I Under certain circumstances it may be advantageous to make the float 20 or 20a so large that turbine.

not only an enormous water propeller 2'7, 27a, 27b, 270, etc. or water turbine 28 can be mounted thereonbut also the building erected thereto that houses the dynamos or other machinery that is e to be operated by the water propeller or water In this instance all those devices that serve for imparting the revolving motion of the water propeller, etc. to devices on the shore or to another floatlwould not be needed but simply a transmission, welllrnown, that increases the speed if dynamos are to be driven. An arrangement in that sense but on a small scale is shown at the extreme left of Figure 1. The float itself may becomposedof two different parts," as, for instance, two rafts held together by logs, etc. and the water propeller or turbine must be suitably arranged between them in a similar way as shown in Figure '7.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1.--v The combination in a system for utilizing the currents in rivers including a float and a device mounted thereon that is adapted to be revolved by the water of the current in the open river, a shaft operatively connected .with said device andextended over the board of said float to a building containing mechanical devices, another device in connection with said building adapted forholding the end part of the extension of said shaft and permitting said shaft and extension thereof freedom of movement not only due to the rise and the .fall of the water in the river but also all those movements caused by the waves of the water in the river including all the short vertical, horizontal and such movements between the vertical and horizontal directions including those in the axial direction of said shaft and means in connection with said other device for operating said mechanical devices.

2. In a system for utilizing the currents in riversincluding afloat and a device mounted thereon that is adapted to be revolved by the currentin the open river, another float individually different from said first named float secured in the vicinity of said first named float and carrying a building that houses mechanicaldevices, and a shaft-operable by said first named device extended to said otherfloat and operatively connected with said mechanical devices in said building and a device in connection with said shaft adapted to hold the extension of said shaft and at the same time to allow the freedom, of movement to said shaft and its extension: notonly in the vertical andhorizontal directions but also in such directions between these including the axial direction of said shaft.

3. In a system for utilizing the currents of e ee e eee e fle e e e e ee e e n tied to said float and. being'of such,-"extension as to hold said float in the current of ,the. river, and means for 'aflixing said non-flexible parts to said float and to rigid parts on the shore of the river. 1. 4. In a system for utilizing the currents in rivers, a float and a device mounted thereon that is revolvable through the impact of the waterin the current of the river, a shaft operatively co nnected with said device, a building structurally independent from said float and devicestherein operatively connected to another shaft and a device operatively connected with both shafts and adapted for imparting the movement of said first named shaft to said other shaft also when said first named shaft departs from its normal position and level due to rocking movements of the float. e 1 I w 5. The combination in a system for utilizing the currents in rivers. of. a float and a shaft mounted thereon together with a device that is adapted to be revolved bythe water of the current in the river, a second shaft geared to said first named shaft and held by bearings in a;mor.e elevated level than the first named shaft, both shafts supported by bearings mounted on floats with stable bearings and this shaft again operatively connected to said second 'shaft by means of a transmission device completely constructed of metal, said transmission device adapted to permit said second shaft to fall or riseand to displace itself also somewhat laterally without interrupting the operation of saidfshafts and devices. l J

6. In a system for utilizing thecurrentslin rivers, a number of floats'tied side by side to -30 in said river, a building on the shore, and devices therein operatively connected to another shaftgether and each having adevice mounted .theree on that is adapted to be revolved by the water of the current in the river, a shaft operatively connected to all of said devices, and other devices also operatively connected with said shaft and driven thereby. 7. In a system for utilizing the ,currents' in rivers for the production of electric current in a building on the shore, including a float in the river and a device'mounted thereon that is adapted to be revolved by the water of the currentin the river, a" shaft operatively connected with said device extended over the water to the shore by means of extensions and said extensions supported by other floating devices in the river, another shaft and a flywheel operatively connected with said first shaft by meansflof a movement-transmitting device. y

8. In a system for utilizing the currents'in rivers including a float and mountingsthereon such as bearings and means for fastening them toi the float together with a water propeller including a shaft revolvably mounted in said bea'rin'gsQ-said water propeller constituted byl disk -lik'e; means secured. on said shaft and platesflxed on said disk-like means and held also by circumferentially arranged stabilizing means, said'plates'each ex; tended as far as to get the possibly largest surface exposed to the impact of the water. I 9. In a system for utilizing the current in rivers including. a revolvable shaft and a device'th'at is revolvable through the impactof the water i n a river whereby said shaft is subject tomovei nents caused by the water, said shaft extended and another device having a slot for holding the extended end of said shaft, said slotadapted to permit said shaft to move up and down according to the fall and rise of the water in the river and to allow also other movements incidental tOx movements of said shaft including the movement in the axial direction of said shaft.

10. In a system for utilizing the current in rivers including a revolvable shaft and a device that is revolvable by the impact of the Water in a river whereby said shaft is subject to movements caused by the water, said shaft extended and the extended end thereof provided with a cog wheel and a chain meshed with said cog wheel and with another cog wheel of another shaft and means for adjusting said chain to force said chain to grip said two cog wheels in any of the positions said first named shaft may take.

11. In a system for utilizing the current in rivers including a revolvable shaft and a device that,

is revolvable by the impact of the water in a river whereby said shaft is subject to movements caused by the water, another revolvable shaft and a chain for imparting the rotating movement of said first named shaft to said other shaft and cog wheels mounted in slots and engaged by said chain and adapted to place said chain in such position as to impart rotating movement from said first named shaft to said other shaft in either revolving di-' rection.

. 12. In a system for utilizing the currents in rivers including a revolvable horizontally directed shaft that is subject to movements caused by the water in the river and a device that is revolvable by the impact of the water in the river and which cooperates with said shaft, a device having a central vertical slot and two other slots but inclined, flanking and downwardly diverging from the central vertical slot, the central vertical slot adapted to hold said shaft and to allow the up and downward movement thereof and such move ments that are caused by the moving water, and

the said two other slots each adapted to hold a cog wheel by means of an extension on the latter,

I KARL. 

